Penang Penang

Day 1 Penang - First stop,
to collect the number tag and t-shirt.

There isn't a big crowd but it was not very well organised. First, had to queue at a counter to make payment. Than had to join another queue to collect the number tag and vouchers. Finally had to queue again at another counter to collect the t-shirt! The faces say it all!

M's name was on the list but no race number was given so she had to join another queue to get a number. Luckily, the uncle there must have like there - he went and collect the t-shirt for her and even gave her a plastic bag>) That's why she smiling while the rest face black black!

Next stop was lunch, before we went to check in and than tea and than dinner. More on our food here

Day 2 - We continued our drive around Penang with a recce to the race site. Of course like the previous day, we went for many impromtu sightseeing around Georgetown as we bravely tackle the roads. Those of you can imagine driving with 1 female woman vehicle commander. I had 4! But thanks to their bright eyes and street smartness, we eventually found our way to all our destination and also managed to 'accidentally' found the famous Penang Road Chendul.

Pictures of the trip here

Road to Penang

We wanted to go for a short holiday. Nothing too expensive or far. Decided on Penang since we last when there more than 10 years ago. Decided also to do the Penang Bridge marathon at the same time. Together, with the 4-ex VRP gals, we set off from Kranji MRT on the
Than we took the

to

Senai Airport has a beautiful feature wall - inside the men's toilet!
It is actually the urinal!

Our transport to Penang Island:

Haven't been down on the tarmac for so many years. Nowaday it is all aerobrige.

Almost there

5k - 25:43 mins 5:04 pace. Almost there. Now to maintain for up to 10k.

Blacken Nail and Painful Arch

1 black nail and 1 painful arch:(All on the left leg.

The painful arch is worrying. Classic symptom of plantar fasciitis. Have removed the insole for the time being and it helps. Hopefully, it does not blown into something bad.

The black toe - never had this problem for the past few years until started wearing the PI. Should I just give up wearing it for run?

Is it due to

1) new shoe? - Black toe appears only after started wearing the PI. Too loose, too wide, too tight?

2) left leg taking on a heavier workload - more impact on the left leg as I unconsciously shift impact on to left leg to reduce impact on right leg?

3) increased time spend on trying to bring up running speed? Have been putting in a little bit more time on shorter but faster runs. Still can't go below 5.30 pace though:(

4) increased mileage. Not a lot more by other's standard but have been doing more than 2 hours run on past few weekends to prepare for the upcoming half.